Heusden-Zolder
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2011) |
| Heusden-Zolder | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|||
 Heusden-Zolder
|
|||
| Coordinates: 51°03′N 05°17′E / 51.05°N 5.283°E | |||
| Country | Belgium | ||
| Region | Flemish Region | ||
| Community | Flemish Community | ||
| Province | Limburg | ||
| Arrondissement | Hasselt | ||
| Government | |||
| • Mayor | Sonja Claes (CD&V/PLUS) | ||
| • Governing party/ies | CD&V/PLUS, VLD, N-VA | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 53.23 km2 (20.55 sq mi) | ||
| Population (1 January 2011)[1] | |||
| • Total | 31,875 | ||
| • Density | 600/km2 (1,600/sq mi) | ||
| Postal codes | 3550 | ||
| Area codes | 011 | ||
| Website | www.heusden-zolder.be | ||
|
Map of Heusden-Zolder
|
|||
Heusden-Zolder is a municipality located in the Belgian province of province of Limburg near Hasselt. On 1 January 2006 Heusden-Zolder had a total population of 30,769. The total area is 53.23 km² which gives a population density of 578 inhabitants per km².
Heusden-Zolder was the result of the merger on 1 January 1977 of the two former municipalities of Heusden and Zolder, and currently consists of the former Heusden parishes of Heusden centre, Berkenbos and Eversel, and the former Zolder parishes of Zolder centre, Boekt, Viversel, Bolderberg and Lindeman.
Heusden-Zolder is home to almost 2,000 immigrants from all over the world. This is due to the (now closed) coal mine of Zolder. During the 1960s Belgian coal mines faced an enormous shortage of employees. To address this problem, foreigner labourers were encouraged to immigrate and work near the mines. After their closure (the mine in Zolder was the last one in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg to close in 1992) most of the immigrants chose to stay, which makes Heusden-Zolder a relatively multicultural place.
Local infrastructure
The town hall, a large glass construction, is located in Zolder centre since the merger. As a compromise, the former town hall of Heusden is now used instead by the local social security department (OCMW).
Heusden-Zolder has one hospital, the Sint-Franciscushospital, and one secondary school, the Sint-Franciscuscollege. The latter is split into two divisions: one in Heusden centre and one in Berkenbos. Heusden-Zolder also has a railway station, called "Zolder station". Heusden-Zolder is also accessible via the Albert Canal and the highway E314.
Places of interest
- The Circuit Terlaemen, former home to the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix and host of the 2007 Belgian Champ Car Grand Prix. Also the 1969 and 2002 UCI Road World Championships, the 2002 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships and the 2003 Motocross des Nations were held at this same location.
- Meylandt Castle, a castle donated to Heusden-Zolder by the de Theux de Meylandt family. It is currently used as an art school.
- De Veen, an athletics stadium that yearly hosts the KBC Night of Athletics, the second most important athletics meeting in Belgium after the world famous Memorial Van Damme in Brussels.
Famous activities
- De Revue, comical theatre play in the Heusden dialect.
Famous inhabitants
- Evil Superstars, indie rock band
- Regi Penxten, Milk Inc. and DJ
- Sonja Claes, mayor
- Luc Nilis, football player
References
- ^ Population per municipality on 1 January 2011 (XLS; 322 KB)
External links
- Official website - Only available in Dutch
|
|||||||||||||
 |
This Belgian Limburg location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
